You’ve got to eat while traveling and most tourists will tell you that the best part of the whole trip is experiencing the food while in foreign places. If you are a fussy eater or have special dietary needs, you can still be accommodated while traveling, just plan ahead.
What better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by visiting the local markets. Not only will you get to see and try the local cuisine, but you’ll probably save a lot of money. Eating in restaurants, especially those geared towards the tourist trade, can get very expensive. Try buying your food fresh from the markets and preparing it yourself. Or buy already prepared food from the market vendor.
In Bangkok you can visit the floating markets and buy anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to ready prepared noodle soup. In Jerusalem the outdoor market or ‘shuk’ not only sells fruits and vegetables, but meat, poultry, fish, bread, nuts, cheese, spices and so on. As in most markets, you have to bargain at a shuk to get a good deal as prices vary markedly. African markets sell souvenirs as well as food.
Bargaining is welcomed at most markets, especially for keepsakes. Knowing how to bargain will save any traveler money. Here are a few points to follow when attempting to bargain for an item:
1. Always be polite and enjoy the experience
2. Ask for the price and then halve it. Start your bargaining at that number.
3. If the price is too high, walk away. You’ll be surprised how quickly the price comes down when you are disinterested!
4. Work out how much you are paying for in your own currency. Don’t haggle over a couple of cents. Remember this is how the market vendors make a living.
5. Don’t pay more than your think the item is worth.
6. You can also barter in some places. Brand name items (jeans, hats, shoes) are sought after items in some countries so barter with what you can afford to part with.
Other tips for saving money on a daily basis include:
* Avoid tourist-type restaurants. Find out where the locals eat and you’ll usually find authentic (better) cuisine at a lower price.
* Take note of what the farmers in the area eat. It’ll be cheap and healthy.
* Always pack snacks and fruit when going on a day trip. You’ll save money when you don’t have to buy from the tourist stops and street vendors along the way.
* Pack a picnic and go exploring. Use produce from the local market. You’ll save a bundle and eat well.
* Shop where the locals shop, not where the tourists go.
* Book into hotels that have breakfast as part of the package.
* Avoid airport food as it is usually expensive and not particularly healthy.
* Always ask if there are any discount offers available. If you don’t ask you won’t know and you won’t save.
* Walk when you can. It’s cheaper and a good healthy alternative, as well as giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are in.
* Avoid Laundromats. Wash your own clothes in the bathroom sink if you are able.
* Look for free entertainment.
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This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
Help answer the question about travel hotel deals
What service will give me the best travel deal for a flight + hotel + car from San Jose to San Diego?Travelocity? Orbitz? Expedia? Something else.
I'm not willing to take just any hotel or flight. I want to be able to specifically pick from certain hotels and room types.
About Author
Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Onlilne Travel Guru:
Sherry Hardesty has been a professional flight attendant for over 15 years. Her experience is extensive and she provides professional travel consulting and booking services at http://www.stuartstravel.com
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February 19th, 2010 at 06:59
I have checked every site on the web (or at least most of the big ones anyway) and the two best I have found are:
http://www.hotwire.com/index.jsp?sid=S20&bid=B256273&kid=K0000001&mid=M01
http://travel.priceline.com/default.asp?rdr=1&session_key=420011AC5C0011AC20080330164841651bc0943022
With Priceline you have to bid but you can get some incredible prices. I got a 4 star in NYC last November for $125/night (The normal price was $450/night). Check them out and you'll see what I mean.
February 19th, 2010 at 07:52
http://www.hotwire.com is great. Lots of really nice hotels for a lot cheaper than other sites, and often the same price as crappy hotels.
February 21st, 2010 at 09:13
http://farechase.yahoo.com/ is not bad for searching airlines,
as it checks a number of the sites others have listed above.
But if you're looking for a complete package air/hotel, I agree with going to a travel agent, they may not squeeze the last 10.00 of savings you might get booking the cheapest air you can find and then staying at the cheapest hotel, but then, you won't be staying at the cheapest hotel either.
The above answerer, mentioning gugshopvacations — well, that site is a rip off.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:18
It is relative which is cheapest. You have to visit several major sites to find the best deal. You can find the list of the biggest sites on pointandtravel.com below … Coupons and specials by major sites are below that …
February 21st, 2010 at 15:25
Go here ——> http://travel.yahoo.com/
February 22nd, 2010 at 01:10
try http://www.kayak.com, it is a very good site for comparison shopping. Also, http://www.trip.com
February 22nd, 2010 at 06:15
The best thing for you to do is check the prices on all of those you mentioned and see where you can get the best deal. You might also check out http://www.ytbtravel.com/WeWin. I've been able to help a few people find a good deal from this site. Have a good trip!
February 22nd, 2010 at 07:23
I am of the school of thought that if you want a generic package where you get what they have to offer and nothing else at an inflated price, then a website is the answer. If you want something specific, then you get in contact with a Travel Agent.
When you contact a Travel Agent, do not hesitate to ask for something specific as there's a very good chance that it can be granted. TRAVEL WITH STEPHEN is a very good Travel Agency, because they offer very good customer service, and the prices for most of their Travel are very reasonable.
February 22nd, 2010 at 15:53
depends on where you are traveling from- Kayak.com is pretty good, but where you want to incorperate hotel and airfare I would try travelocity or orbitz- I book flights often and those two sites can save a lot of money- make sure you book them together (flight and hotel)
Also, last minute deals are great- check out those on the two websites